The Higher Thinking Fund was established in 2011 by Shalom Andrews and her husband Dave Taylor. The funds objective is to support brain cancer research at the University of New South Wales Lowy Cancer Research Centre in Australia.

As a brain cancer patient herself, Shalom has genuine insight into the challenges of living with brain tumour. As well as the personal difficulties involved, Shalom and Dave have recognised the need for greater research, particularly in the area of low grade brain tumours. There are many different kinds of brain tumours, and the World Health Organisation has broadly categorised them all as being either low grade (slower growing) or high grade (faster growing). There is minimal funding for low grade tumours, despite the significant potential for progression into life threatening high grade cancer.

By supporting Higher Thinking, you are maintaining the work of Dr Kerrie McDonald, world leading scientist based at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre. Higher Thinking is already supporting a three year doctoral research program supervised by Dr McDonald, and we are confident that with your contribution, significant gains can be made in understanding tumour progression.

City2Surf 2014 to coincide with research

Posted 13 July, 2014

We are going to be participating in the City2Surf again this year on 10 August. And it couldn't be better timing as our first PhD supported student will commence study on low grade gliomas in August. We are thrilled that Ashraf Zaman has been handpicked by Dr McDonald, and he will be moving from Italy to Australia to work from the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at UNSW. It is thanks to generous donor support that has led to the first study of its kind on low grade tumours in Australia. If you would like to support us in our 'jork' (cross between jog and walk) this year, please go to https://the-higher-thinking-fund.everydayhero.com/au/higherthinkingfund

City2Surf Run!

The City to Surf has now been run and won, although not by us. Shalom and Dave trundled along at a modest and steady pace on a beautiful day which showcased Sydney as the stunning city that it is.

We had a victory of our own though thanks to the generosity of our supporters. With a wide range of personal sponsors for both Shalom and Dave, and Ben McCarthy's team at Fitch Ratings also running on our behalf, we were able to raise more than $6,000 towards this year's overall fundraising target of $20,000 across our various activities.

This money will make a real difference and will allow the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at UNSW to continue its research work into why low grade tumours transition to high grade tumours. We thank everyone who helped us on this 14km journey.

Brain cancer is one of the most under-studied of all cancers yet receives very little research funding. In particular, people living with slower growing brain cancer are largely ignored. Higher Thinking is one of the only funds in Australia that supports the research of slower growing brain cancer, despite the potential to find treatments to stop rapid progression into deadly high grade cancer. Discoveries in this area may also have positive implications for the breakthroughs of treating other types of cancer.

Brain Cancer Facts

Rapid and slower growing brain cancer can be the cause of serious disability both from the disease itself, and as a result of its treatments - surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Disabilities might include paralysis, speech or language disturbance, seizures, increased risk of blood clots, weakness and decreased function of arms and/or legs, impaired fine motor coordination, or problems with balance. Possible changes in cognition, coordination, strength, vision, and other neurologic functions may necessitate specific work restrictions and accommodations. Some job requirements may be impossible for individuals with brain cancer, and permanent disability is not unusual.